CHAPTER 54
Ye Qinghan's Pride
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Ye Qinghan glanced at Su Cheng seated beside him. Though his master remained silent, Ye Qinghan could hear every thought churning within him.
He glanced at Dongfang Jue beside him. Even the handsome youth’s face darkened with gloom when this topic arose.
Dongfang Jue was sixteen this year, the same age as Ye Qinghan. In this world, it was already the age for marriage discussions, especially in the royal capital.
Even a princess would eventually marry. Perhaps due to the Human Emperor's favor, she might not be reduced to a commodity with a price tag, but she was still destined to wed a man she had never met.
"You? Marriage? What man would be blind enough to want you?"
Ye Qinghan teased back, too lazy to look at the sourpuss's grimace.
"Hmph! Men who want to marry this lady could line up from the royal capital all the way to the Immortal Realm!"
It must be said that even sandwiched between a fox demon and a holy maiden, Dongfang Jue's striking features held their own thanks to his uniquely human charm—though his figure was another matter entirely.
"Keep bragging. Shiyao said men like girls, but you'd have to be a girl first."
"Ye Qinghan, I've put up with you long enough!"
"Getting flustered?" Ye Qinghan laughed so hard she trembled, though it was mostly because Su Cheng kept mentally teasing her, finding his master utterly adorable.
She gave Dongfang Jue a light pat on the shoulder and shot her a meaningful look.
"Next up is me, then."
Ye Qinghan said indifferently, then shifted her gaze to Su Cheng, as if waiting for her master to say something.
【Huh? Should I give some advice? Like telling them to go easy and not beat someone to death?】
"Stay safe."
"This disciple will remember."
Ye Qinghan's matches were the last two of the morning session, yet the spectator stands remained buzzing with excitement!
Not because of Ye Qinghan, however, but because her opponent was a wolf-kin from the North—a strikingly handsome werewolf.
Lin Lang, a top-five contender with mid-Dan Formation cultivation, wielded a long blade and her innate claws with deadly precision. She was a favorite among the female cultivators!
Unlike Ye Qinghan, Linlang mostly appeared in her half-human, half-wolf form, wearing square-framed glasses and exuding a rogueishly handsome, domineering CEO vibe.
As Linlang entered the arena, the audience erupted in excitement. If not for the protective barrier, some crazed fans might have rushed forward for autographs!
"Linlang! I want to give birth to your wolf cubs!"
"Linlang, I love you!"
"Linlang! I'll earn money to support you!"
Such declarations echoed relentlessly from the stands, though Linlang had long grown accustomed to them. Compared to humans with ears on their sides, he preferred the female wolves whose ears perched atop their heads.
Wearing a bright, sunny smile, Linlang slowly nodded toward Elder Ling Shan, the referee, signaling he was ready.
"Disciple of Lingxian Hall, Ye Qinghan, please enter the arena."
On this side of the stands, Ye Qinghan nodded to her master. Only after receiving his acknowledgment did she enter the arena.
Ye Qinghan, clad in a Glass Silk Water-Sleeve Dress, descended gracefully from the heavens, appearing as if a true immortal had descended!
Within a single morning, two celestial maidens took the stage! While the Holy Maiden Li Shiyao was born of divine favor, Ye Qinghan proved in no way inferior to her predecessor. Instantly, those in the audience unfamiliar with Ye Qinghan began inquiring about this celestial maiden's origins and background.
Though both hailed from the Northern Realm, Linlang had never encountered this fox demon princess before. Yet this did not hinder him from recognizing Ye Qinghan's fox demon heritage.
Lin Lang was startled. Could such breathtaking beauty truly exist in this world?
Ye Qinghan tilted her head, adopting an air of superiority as she looked down her nose at others…
"Wolf scum? Never seen your face before…" Ye Qinghan paid little attention to the martial contest, instead scrutinizing Lin Lang before her, mentally searching if she had encountered him before.
In theory, any head-and-shouldered demon of the Northern Realm should recognize her.
"Miss Qinghan, this is our first meeting." Lin Lang, thinking she might be interested in him, hastily tried to dispel any notion of her seeking familiarity.
"I suppose so. In my memory, wolfkind were always kneeling outside the grand hall, not even worthy of an audience with me." Ye Qinghan said nonchalantly, though she was exaggerating somewhat. If they were important figures among the wolfkind, she had certainly met one or two.
Lin Lang was utterly dumbfounded. This crazy woman might be pretty, but she seemed a bit slow on the uptake.
The elder grew impatient and spoke up, "Both parties, prepare yourselves."
Ye Qinghan smiled, spreading her hands in a gesture of indifference.
Lin Lang's anger flared. This stinking fox was getting way too cocky! Slowly drawing the long blade from his waist, he assumed a fighting stance.
Ye Qinghan didn't even deign to glance at him. Below the Transformation stage, she was invincible! Above it, she had the jade slip!
The spectators were stunned. Even a prodigy like Li Shiyao would take a weaker opponent seriously. Ye Qinghan's attitude was downright arrogant!
Thus, the adoring young female fans scattered throughout the stands began voicing their disapproval of Ye Qinghan. Yet she paid them no mind whatsoever.
Ye Qinghan, meanwhile, gained a wave of male admirers. How could such a queenly presence not be adored by men?
"The duel begins!"
Like a bullet fired from a gun, Lin Lang roared and charged forward!
Her powerful, heavy strike seemed capable of cleaving Ye Qinghan in two, causing even the male fans in the stands to tense up in anxiety!
Ye Qinghan was undeniably beautiful, but her opponent was Lin Lang—a top-five fighter!
Linlang! Don't you know how to treat a lady gently?
How could you be so brutal to such a stunning beauty?
On the other side, female fans erupted in cheers! They were rooting for Linlang!
"Yes! Kill that arrogant little bitch!"
"My Wolf is just too cool!"
Even Su Cheng was getting a bit tense. Ye Qinghan really wasn't treating the other person like a human being. But he understood Ye Qinghan's temperament well enough—this was harmless enough.
What could he do? She was his disciple. Besides spoiling her, what other choice did he have?
Yet the scene where women scream in delight and men lament the missed opportunity never materialized…
Not a single spectator in the stands could discern Ye Qinghan's movements—not even his own master, Su Cheng…
Just like back in the secret realm, Ye Qinghan slowly lowered her deadly, high-kicking leg. With a calm expression, she smoothed the hem of her skirt and adjusted her attire. Linlang had vanished without a trace.
Across from Ye Qinghan, the war-induced haze of dust slowly dissipated. Linlang, embedded in the wall, lay unconscious.
This scene left the gathered clan heads and sect masters seated upon the high platform utterly dumbfounded. What kind of monster was this Ye Qinghan?
That single kick possessed the power of an elder-level martial artist in any sect!
"That woman…"
"She is Ye Qinghan, the First Disciple of Lingxian Hall."
"How could she strike with such ruthless ferocity?"
The crowd fell silent, exchanging stunned glances before turning their gaze toward Su Cheng in the spectator seats.
Lingshan staff rushed out to administer first aid to Lin Lang, prying him off the wall…
"The victor! Lingxian Hall, Ye Qinghan!"
Ye Qinghan slowly turned, gazing toward her master in the spectator seats. Her eyes crinkled in a tender smile.
That smile—utterly captivating!
That smile was enough to bring down a nation!
This smile seemed to stir the hearts of every man present, instantly sending a ripple of commotion through the arena!
But Ye Qinghan hadn't left the stage yet. The next match belonged to Ye Xiaohan…